Artist Surfaces fabricates handmade ÉTUDE Aluwood Panels for professional artists seeking a stable, lightweight, and durable support at an accessible price point. Built using the same materials and construction principles as our museum grade range, the ÉTUDE Aluwood panels deliver professional performance at an accessible price point.
 
Named after the French étude—meaning “study”—these panels are intended for artists refining technique, testing compositions, and exploring new ideas without compromising on material quality.
 
Each panel features an aluminium painting surface bonded to a birch plywood subframe, selected for its superior strength, rigidity, and resistance to warping, ensuring long-term stability.
 
We use aluminium alloy 5251 which offers excellent scratch resistance and corrosion protection. The result is a rigid yet lightweight panel with a smooth, non-porous surface. Aluminium does not react to changes in humidity or temperature, providing exceptional dimensional stability.
 
Panel subframe sides are sanded to 120 grit, while the aluminium face remains unsanded, preserving its smooth mill surface ready for preparation according to the artist’s preferred method.
 
By omitting the filling stage and leaving the aluminium face unsanded, we reduce production time while maintaining the same museum grade materials and construction standards. This process enables us to offer the ÉTUDE Aluwood Panels at a more accessible price point, passing the savings directly to the artist without compromising on quality or performance.
 
ÉTUDE Aluwood Panels are suitable for both acrylic and oil painting, offering a rare opportunity for artists to work with a premium material such as aluminium at an accessible entry point.